A hoped shortcut for a Lithonia man who walked to a neighborhood store for a quick Christmas Eve beer and a snack proved to be the long way home when the stopped train he tried to climb over took off.

Effingham County Deputies got a call just before midnight on Christmas Eve to the railroad crossing at Stillwell-Clyo and Long Bridge Road.

The caller reported a man was slapping the window of a train, David Ehsanipoor, sheriff’s office spokesman said.

Deputies discovered what appeared to be an intoxicated man who relayed a strange story, Ehsanipoor said.

“Randy Gaultney, 47, said he had bought some groceries and beer near his house in Dekalb County and when he tried to cross the street to go home a stopped train was blocking his path,” Ehsanipoor said.

Instead of waiting for the train to move, Gaultney put his purchases up on the train and as he climbed up, the train took off at high speed, Ehsanipoor said.

Gaultney’s snacks fell, but he was able to hold onto the IceHouse beer during the chilly ride, Ehsanipoor said.

Ehsanipoor said Gaultney told police Springfield was the first place the train stopped.

“He had a strong odor of alcohol and appeared intoxicated when deputies arrived,” Ehsanipoor said.

Deputies checked a receipt Gaultney had from the store, and it showed his purchases were made about noon.

He was arrested and charged with criminal trespass, intrusion upon railroad tracks and riding a train without a ticket. Gaultney was transported to the Effingham County jail.

“He had a long, cold night and then spent Christmas in jail,” Ehsanipoor said.

According to jail records, Gaultney is also on active probation.

Gaultney was released from jail on Dec. 26.

The sheriff’s office had no information on Gaultney’s transportation back to Dekalb County.

Three arrested in meth bust

Three people are in custody following the seizure of a methamphetamine lab by the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team.

Billy Tetley, 30, of Ludowici; Travis Stacey, 24, of Richmond Hill; and Jeffrey Anderson Jr., 29, of Garden City were arrested by CNT.

Anderson was also wanted by the Chatham Sheriff’s Office at the time of his arrest. All three persons were charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and are currently being held at the Chatham County jail.

On Wednesday afternoon, CNT agents working in an undercover capacity received information that several persons were gathering components needed for the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Agents began conducting surveillance on the unsuspecting suspects as they collected the needed items.

After determining the suspects had all the necessary items, CNT, with the assistance of the Pooler police, had the suspects’ vehicle stopped on Interstate 95 southbound just north of Interstate 16. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a bag containing all items needed for the manufacturing of methamphetamine, CNT said.

Wednesday’s operation was one of many throughout the year where CNT was successful in seizing a methamphetamine lab prior to it beginning any stage of the manufacturing process, the agency said. Seizing the labs before the manufacturing process saves thousands of taxpayers’ dollars and greatly reduces risk to the community, according to CNT.

— Marcus E. Howard

Effingham police nab two in meth bust

Two people were arrested Thursday when investigators with the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office found three meth labs at a house in the Bloomingdale area.

At about 11 a.m., investigators found three labs, some finished product and ingredients used to create additional labs at the residence on Interstate Circle belonging to Melissa Cone, 26, and George Daniel Driggers, 34.

The arrests were the result of a long-term investigation into the manufacture of methamphetamine conducted by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Drug Suppression Team, said Sheriff’s Spokesman David Ehsanipoor.

Driggers was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of pseudoephedrine, possession of tools for the commission of a crime and unlawful dumping of egregious materials.

Cone was charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Additional arrests were expected, Ehsanipoor said. Driggers and Cone were being held in the Effingham County jail.